In a rare, late-night television address from the Kremlin on Saturday, Putin told Russians, “We seek serious talks... to remove the root causes of the conflict and start moving toward a lasting, strong peace,” adding that the talks should ”start without delay, as early as May 15.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed holding “direct talks” with Ukraine on May 15 in Istanbul, as European leaders and the United States attempt to put pressure on Moscow to agree to a 30-day ceasefire in order to bring an end to the three-year conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed resuming direct talks with Ukraine to be held in Istanbul as early as next week. Putin proposes resuming direct talks with Ukraine Russia's self-declared ceasefire expires.